Wisconsin’s largest city, known as “Brew City”, is filled with opportunities for those of every age and stage of life. Home to a population of 563,000 people, residents and visitors of Milwaukee enjoy outdoor recreation, cultural events, great food, and beautiful views of Lake Michigan, our second largest and deepest Great Lake. Home to the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers, Summerfest, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, the NCAA Division 1 Marquette Golden Eagles, and Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee is an accessible, historic, and scenic city on the second largest Great Lake.
Milwaukee is home to miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, hiking and biking trails, outdoor markets, festivals, and seasonal events throughout the year. This city truly has something for everyone. Although I’ve visited Milwaukee in every season, summer is my favorite time of year for recreation, outdoor events and access to the lakefront. I’ll share a few of my favorite sights and scenes from my recent visits.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Weather
Summers in Milwaukee are generally warm and sunny, with an average temperature of 70-75 degrees. Temps rarely climb above 900, and the breeze along the lakefront keeps things cooler than the surrounding urban area. The “cooler by the lake” motto really applies here; summer is so pleasant along Lake Michigan. For a current forecast and weather conditions, check The National Weather Service – Milwaukee for real-time updates.
Market Season in Milwaukee | South Shore Farmer’s Market
During the summer and fall months, Milwaukee’s South Shore Farmer’s Market is a beautiful way to spend a Saturday morning. Held along Lake Michigan’s lakefront at South Shore Park at 2900 South Shore Drive, this expansive market has something for every taste. You’ll find an abundance of fresh produce at reasonable prices, artisan cheeses, honey, eggs, baked goods, and other crafts. Additionally, food trucks line the perimeter of the market, with something for everyone.
Leashed dogs are welcome, and there is a playground nearby for the little ones. The market is held from 8am-12pm every Saturday from June through October, with street parking available in the residential area surrounding the park.
South Shore Farmer’s Market | South Shore Terrace
For the beer lovers, there is a beer garden at South Shore Terrace, immediately east of the market along the lakefront. The terrace also serves salads, flatbreads, burgers, bratwurst, and various sandwiches. The beer garden is open from April through November, open weekends from 11am-9pm.
Public Art | Black Cat Alley
In recent years, I have noticed large murals popping up in cities and small towns throughout the Great Lakes region. If you have an interest in public art or enjoy seeing these murals, be sure to explore Black Cat Alley on Milwaukee’s northeast side. Black Cat Alley is a one block outdoor art gallery filled with large scale murals painted by local and visiting artists. Really an impressive display! Additionally, numerous coffee shops and unique restaurants are also located within walking distance from Black Cat Alley. I’ve included a few photos of my favorite murals here below.
Read more in my recent article: Exploring Milwaukee’s Beautiful Public Art | Black Cat Alley.
Milwaukee Art Museum
If you’re interested in unique architecture, a visit to the Milwaukee Art Museum will not disappoint. Located along Lake Michigan at 700 N. Art Museum Drive in Milwaukee, the museum includes three separate buildings designed by three different architects. The most amazing part of the museum campus is the Quadracci Pavilion. Designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the pavilion has a 217-foot sunscreen that opens and closes twice each day. This movable feature resembles a bird taking flight, and is known as the Burke Brise Soleil. The building is striking – really a sight to see!
Hours: The Milwaukee Art Museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm, and Thursday from 10am-8pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Admission: Adult tickets are $27; military, seniors and student tickets are $20, and kids aged 12 and under enjoy FREE admission. Additionally, museum members enjoy FREE admission.
Historic Third Ward
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward encompasses ten square blocks of the city along the Lake Michigan shore. The Third Ward is known for it’s unique restaurants, shops, recreation, and seasonal festivals. Examples include multiple art galleries, beer gardens, cuisine from around the world, yoga in the park, and the Third Ward Art Festival held each summer during Labor Day weekend.
Explore the Third Ward by foot, by bike, by car or public transportation. Learn more about how to get around this part of the city. Admittedly, I cannot speak fully to all that the Third Ward has to offer as I have not explored it in full just yet. I am, however, hoping for a return visit soon!
Marquette University Campus
Among the more notable sights in downtown Milwaukee is the beautiful campus of Marquette University. Located at a Catholic, Jesuit university with 8,000+ undergraduates, 80 undergraduate majors and an impressive 70+ graduate, doctoral, and professional programs. Ranking #6 nationally for job placement, Marquette has a 14-1 student to faculty ratio. Additionally, Marquette is rated in the top 20% of universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Marquette University Architecture
Architecture on the Marquette University campus is beautiful, with a main campus church known as the Church of Gesu, and 14 smaller chapels throughout campus. The Church of Gesu is over 130 years old, and was recently renovated. It is now open to the public, and is well worth a visit!
Below I’ve shared a few photos of the main campus church, the Church of Gesu, located at 1145 W. Wisconsin Avenue at Marquette University.
Marquette University Campus Chapels
Constructed in Lyon, France in the 14th or 15th century, the Joan of Arc Chapel was in use until after World War I. The chapel deteriorated until it was restored by a local French architect. It was transported to Long Island New York in 1926, eventually being deconstructed and transported again to Milwaukee in 1964. Since then, the chapel has remained in use on the Marquette University campus. It is known as an important gathering place among Marquette University students. Located at 1421 W. Wisconsin Avenue, the chapel is just south of the Memorial Library. It is beautiful, inside and out – and well worth a visit. Read more about the history of the St. Joan of Arc Chapel.
Summer in Milwaukee | Lake Michigan Beaches
The southern shore of Lake Michigan is filled with beautiful beaches. While some beaches are well-known for swimming and recreation, others are less known and more quiet. As one who loves to comb Great Lakes beaches for weathered beach glass, fossils, pottery, and other unique finds, I have explored a good number of the beaches in southern Wisconsin. Grant Park Beach in Milwaukee is a unique spot to find Lake Michigan treasures.
South Milwaukee | Grant Park Beach and the 7 Bridges Trail
Grant Park is a 400-acre park with over 2 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Located at 100 E. Hawthorne Avenue in South Milwaukee, you will find picnic areas, the historic Frederick C. Wulff Lodge, and two observation decks overlooking the lake. Additonally, the 7 Bridges Trail, once featured in Midwest Living Magazine, is located within Grant Park. I highly recommend checking it out!
Grant Park Beach
When you visit, take your time and enjoy the long 2 mile stretch of beach. Expect to find glass in a variety of colors, including amber, green, clear, and cobalt blue. Fossil lovers can also find crinoids, trilobites, and brachiopods along this beach.
Yooperlites!
On occasion, “Yooperlites”, fluorescent sodalite stones rich in syenite can be found at Grant Park Beach. Most commonly found in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and along the Wisconsin shore of Lake Superior, these rocks, also known as sodalite, can be found throughout the Great Lakes. If you’re interested in beachcombing in the Milwaukee area, read more in my recent article on 3 Top Beaches: Lake Michigan’s Hidden Treasures: Southern Wisconsin’s Best Beaches.
Holy Hill Basilica
If you enjoy the architecture of the churches and chapels on the Marquette campus, consider a visit to the nearby Holy Hill Basilica in Hubertus, WI. The scenic Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes through the grounds of Holly Hill, connecting to Ice Age Trail segments north and south of Milwaukee. This historic basilica and national shrine is just 35 miles northwest of downtown Milwaukee, or about a 45 minute drive. It is definitely worth a visit! Read more in my recent article: Visit the Beautiful and Historic Holy Hill Basilica | Hubertus, Wisconsin.
Milwaukee | A City Worth Exploring
Enjoy your time exploring Wisconsin’s largest city, and all that Milwaukee has to offer. It is a wonderful way to spend a morning, a day, or a week! Share your email below to receive my most recent Great Lakes adventures in your inbox. I hope you’ll join me!
-Erin
